The driving licence system in South African went through an overhaul in 1998 from the old system to the new system. While there have been tweaks to the system over the years, for the majority it’s stayed the same. Here’s a quick summary of the current system, with equivalent codes from the old system.
When the new system was implemented, everyone who had an old licence of the form Code 8, Code 12 etc. was given an equivalent licence in the new letter format, eg. B, EC etc. To this day people still often refer to having a code 12 licence, although the system is not used in practice.
Learner’s Licence
There are three main categories of licences. Light Motor Vehicles, Heavy Motor Vehicles and Motor Cycles. Before you can get either one of these licences, you must first write a learner’s licence exam. This is a 1 hour theory exam, to test your knowledge of the rules of the road. There are three different learner’s licences available, each one applying to a different vehicle class. These licences are:
Code 1: Motorcycles
Code 2: Light Motor Vehicles
Code 3: Heavy Motor Vehicles
A Heavy motor vehicle is considered any vehicle with a GVM over 3,500kg (3.5 tons), and a light motor vehicle anything below. There was talk 2 years ago about combining learners licences so as not to require people who already have a licence to rewrite their learner’s licence, but this was never passed. Currently a Learner’s Licence is valid for 2 years. Once you have a learner’s licence for a vehicle, you are free to drive that vehicle as long as there is a driver licenced for that vehicle in the passenger seat with you. You may drive on freeways, and have additional passengers. If you want to get your Driver’s Licence, you must apply so that your test occurs before your learner’s licence expires. If you have a learner’s licence for a motorcycle, you may drive by yourself (I’ve also heard you’re not allowed passengers, unsure).
You may only apply for a Code 2 Learner’s Licence if you are over the age of 17. For a Code 1 licence you may apply when you are 16 (limited to 125cc). I have heard that you must be 18 before applying for a Code 3 learner’s licence.
Driver’s Licence
For motorcycles there are two licences available. An A, and a A1 licence. An A1 licence you may hold from the age of 17, and is limited to motorcycles with an engine capacity of 125cc or less. You may only get an A licence once you turn 18, and permits you to drive any motorcycle.
Light motor vehicles have two classes. Either a B (old code 7) or an EB (old code 8). The B licence is the standard driver’s licence that most people get. It allows you to drive any Light Motor Vehicle and tow a trailer with a GVM less than 750kg. An EB licence is for the same class of vehicles, but allows you to tow trailers in excess of GVM 750kg. Most people who did their driver’s licence before 1998 were automatically upgraded to an EB licence, whereas most new drivers have only a B licence. This limits one from towing certain caravans and boats which can have GVMs higher than 750kg. You must be 18 years old before you take the test for an LMV licence.
Heavy Motor vehicles have four classes. A code C1 (former code 10) which is for vehicles with a GVM between 3.5 and 16 tons and a code C which is for vehicles with a GVM over 16 tons. Drivers with a code C1 licence are permitted to drive vehicles of class B. Drivers with a code C may drive vehicles covered by both the C1 and B codes.
A code EC1 licence holds the same rights as a C1 licence, but with the inclusion of trailers with a GVM in excess of 750 kg. Likewise an EC licence permits the driver to drive vehicles covered by a C licence with a trailer of GVM in excess of 750kg. The holder of an EC licence, in addition to vehicles covered by a C licence, may also drive EC1 vehicles.
In 2010 reports were issued that drivers who obtained a Heavy Duty Vehicle Licence after January 2011 would not be permitted to drive light motor vehicles. This law was never passed.
To obtain a driver’s licence, you must hold the appropriate learner’s licence and do a practical test for driving that vehicle. The test comprises of a yard test (inclined start and alley docking. Additional three point turn and parallel parking for LMV and additional straight reverse for HMVs). As well as an on the road test, generally along preset routes in general traffic. For each of these you must follow practices specified by the K53 defensive driving system, which has many critics. It is advised that anyone attempting to pass a driving test in South Africa first go for driving lessons with an accredited driving school.
A South African Driver’s Licence must be renewed every 5 years.
Professional Driver’s Licence
Anyone who wants to drive a motor vehicle for reward (taxi, deliveryman etc.) or anyone driving a Goods Vehicle, or Vehicle able to transport more than 11 people must hold a Professional Driver’s Permit. See my article here for more information. A standard PrDP licence is valid for 2 years.
Other things to note
It is possible to hold a licence which is valid for both an LMV or HMV as well as a motorcycle. You will be issued with one card which displays the separate restrictions, dates etc. for each.
Whatever vehicle you do your licence in will be the vehicle that you are given a licence for. If you drive an automatic vehicle, you will not be permitted to drive manual vehicles.
Whenever you renew your driver’s licence you will be required to do an eye test, this test will dictate whether you are required to drive a vehicle with or without glasses.
A South African Driver’s licence is in the shape of a credit card. Pre-1998, driver’s licences were included in your ID book.
Go here to view a table comparing the old and the current driver’s licence codes.
Most of the information here I posted from memory. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, if uncertain, please contact your local Traffic Department for assistance.
Source: General Knowledge and the National Road Traffic Act.
Can I get code 14 license at the age of 18?
Yes
Hi, I’m a Zimbabwean with a valid passport, temporary resident permit and a traffic register and a SA C1 driver’s licence. Because I need to help my wife( who is SA citizen) pick up the kids for her creche with our minibus, I need a pdp right? I went to the traffic department for a pdp and was told I can’t apply for a pdp with a traffic register. Was told to apply for it in my country of origin. How so because I don’t even have the zimbabwean driver’s licence. Will u please advise?
Hi. That doesn’t make sense. If you have a South African drivers licence you should apply for a SA prdp. Try speaking to someone else, or contact a different traffic department. It would be silly to send you to Zimbabwe to get it.
Good luck
Hi at what age should you get your learners. My parents is gonna by me a car at the age of 16. Thank you :)
You can only get a car learners licence at the age of 17. As such it will be illegal for you to drive the vehicle on public roads until you are that age.
Hi im s.a citizen i was convicted for common-assault in court can i obtain prdp?thanks
most likely
If my classic car is unlicensed for 5 years do my registration documents still remain valid? Or is it then the car belongs to “nobody” on the system and I need to do police clerances and ownership documents etc ?
Hi Sherrin, I know very little abou the car licence system. But I believe after that period you may have to relicene your car. Shouldn’t need police clearance if you have the original licence receipt, but will probably require road worthy.
hi there i would like to find out if im an t 12 paraplegic do i have to redo my license again i got my license in 2003 when the new k53 came in please help
Hi Cecil, I’m afraid I don’t know. I assume the paralysis occurred since you got your original licence? Speak to your doctor or the traffic department for more details, but you may be required to redo your licence, which will then also indicate that you may only drive adapted vehicles, if this is the case.
Your doctor should be best able to advise you on the way forward.
I am currently in possession of a code EB driving licence and in the process of applying for a C1 licence. I would like to know if my EB licence will disappear when I finally get my C1 licence. The reason I am asking is that the C1 licence authorizes the holder to drive C1 and B vehicles excluding EB vehicles.
Hi themba, by default I think they do remove the EB from your licence when you get the C1, but it should be possible to request them to leave the EB on when you get your new licence card. But check this with the traffic department directly.
Do I need to obtain a learners licence for a Code A motorclycle if I already have a Code EB motor licence?
yes you do.
Hi
I have passed my driving test and I have a temporary licence code C1 and they told me that the card will be released within 6 weeks. so is the money that I paid for my license also cover the PDP
Did you specifically apply for a Prdp? Otherwise no. You will need to apply for prdp on top of your current the license
Hi,
I wrote my learners for car and bike at 17 and its obviously valid for 2 years.
So lets just say i buy a 150 cc bike at 18 can i take it to the practical yard test ?
And another thing is , if i buy a 150/250 cc bike can i drive it with the learners license i
received when i was 17 ?
My understanding of the law is that if you are under the age of 18 you are not allowed to drive a motorbike larger than 125cc.
So, yes you can drive the 150/250cc bike and do your test on it, but only after you’re 18, before that you are only permitted to drive a 125cc.
Arb law is arb.
That being said this guy in this thread says if you’re 17 you can drive a 150cc with a learners, I’m not sure.